KNOWN as Volkwagen UK’s ‘father of fleet’ Vincent Kinner will be retiring from the business at the end of March.
Kinner, who since December 2012 has held the role of head of group fleet services, after a career spanning 42 years with the group.
In 1972 he joined Walter Scott in Finchley, managing retail sales before moving the following year to Volkswagen tax-free sales in Baker Street, London as an account executive. Here he sold cars to HM Forces, Diplomats and UK companies working on capital projects overseas.
In 1996 he became head of Volkswagen Fleet, with sole responsibility for the Volkswagen fleet strategy
As a national account manager at Baker Street, Kinner helped start Volkswagen Fleet in 1983. In 1989 he took over responsibility for all tax-free UK fleet sales and used cars disposal for both Audi and Volkswagen.
In 1996 he became head of Volkswagen Fleet, with sole responsibility for the Volkswagen fleet strategy. He remained in this role until December 2012. During this time, Volkswagen was transformed from a relatively small fleet player into number one in true fleet, with the product line-up expanding from just nine to 19 cars.
Commenting on Kinner’s departure, managing director of Volkswagen UK, Paul Willis, said: “Vince’s transformation of Volkswagen Fleet Services was nothing short of spectacular. His understanding of the brand, the fleet market and the importance of the highest quality people as well as high quality products established Volkswagen as the leader in true fleet sales in the UK. Since moving to a Group-wide role in 2012 he has set up a successful five-brand fleet contact centre and set in train a suite of processes which will allow the Group to remain a serious contender in all fleet markets for many years to come.”
A successor for Vincent Kinner will be announced in due course.
